A Miracle for the Reserved Flyboy (Love in Sweet Bloom #11)

Epilogue

“YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND!”

Gary and Krista flinched as their thirteen-year-old daughter, Meredith, screamed at them, her voice cracking with the kind of fury and heartbreak that only a young teenager could muster. Her small fists were clenched tightly at her sides, her face flushed, and thick tears streamed down her cheeks as she stood there, momentarily frozen in anger, before whirling around and storming off to her room. The slam of her door shook the walls.

“NOBODY UNDERSTANDS ME!”

Gary blinked, processing the sudden explosion of emotion. “I sure freakin’ don’t,” he muttered under his breath, casting a sidelong look at Krista. His bewildered expression was almost comical, and despite the tension, Krista couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

“All right,” she sighed, placing a gentle hand on Gary’s shoulder. “You get Trevor from baseball, and I’ll handle Jolly-Holly-the-Hormone-Queen…”

“I HEARD THAT!” Meredith’s voice pierced through the walls.

“Good!” Krista called back, trying to inject a little humor into the tense atmosphere. “You didn’t get it from the neighbors, you know!”

An indignant wail echoed down the hall. “ I HATE MY LIFE! I HATE BOYS… AND I HATE ? — ”

“If you finish that sentence, Meredith Ann Rutlinger,” Gary’s voice boomed down the hall, “I’m taking off my belt!” The firmness in his tone was tempered by an underlying exasperation, a mix of frustration and concern that Krista knew well.

Turning back to her, he shook his head. “Are you sure you’re up to this, Krista? I don’t want either of the kids thinking it’s okay to talk to us like that.”

Krista gave him a gentle smile, a mix of affection and understanding. She reached out, brushing a hand against his cheek. “I’ve got this, babe,” she said softly, touched by the protective streak that never seemed to fade, even after fifteen years of marriage. “I remember what it was like to be her age. Believe it or not, I was once that sobbing little girl who felt misunderstood. I don’t remember shouting quite like that, but I’m sure my mom would tell a different story.”

Right on cue, her mother’s voice drifted from the kitchen, laughing softly. “Oh, honey, you were a handful,” she teased. “Go do your thing, Krista. I’ll start some coffee for your dad and me so we can watch the fireworks.”

From the next room, Krista’s father chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Isn’t it grand to sit back and watch the show? We did our time.”

“ Grand … parents,” her mother agreed with a knowing wink, both of them giving Krista encouraging thumbs-up. Krista rolled her eyes with a groan while Gary chuckled, reaching out to squeeze her hand.

“Krista?” he said quietly, his voice softening as he used her name. “I love you,” he murmured, his gaze locking with hers. “I’ll be back in fifteen minutes. If you need backup, I’m here.”

“Thanks,” she replied, touched by the look in his eyes—a deep, unwavering love that reminded her why she fell for him all those years ago. He was always there, her rock, willing to stand beside her through whatever came their way. But some things, she knew, she needed to handle herself.

After a quick kiss, Gary headed out, leaving her alone in the hallway with the closed door. Krista took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts, steeling herself. This was one of those pivotal moments in parenting. She reached for the doorknob. Locked.

“Meredith,” she said, her tone firm yet gentle. “You’ve got thirty seconds to unlock this door, or it’s coming off the hinges for a month, sweetheart. And trust me, I’m not joking.”

After a few tense moments, the door clicked open to reveal Meredith, her face streaked with tears, cheeks flushed, and eyes filled with a mixture of anger, frustration, and hurt. She glared at her mother, her chin jutting out defiantly.

“Hey, pretty girl…” Krista said softly, but Meredith shook her head, her expression crumpling.

“I’m not pretty,” she mumbled, voice cracking as she wrapped her arms around herself, like she was trying to protect herself from an invisible force.

Krista’s heart ached. She walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, patting the space beside her. “Come here, sweetheart. Sit with me.” After a moment’s hesitation, Meredith sat down, eyes downcast.

“You’re right,” Krista said gently, watching her daughter. “Pretty doesn’t even cover it. You’re breathtakingly beautiful, Meredith. Especially when you smile.” She brushed a lock of hair behind Meredith’s ear, her voice tender. “So what’s taken that glow away from you, my little lightning bug?”

“Don’t call me that,” Meredith muttered, wiping at her eyes. “I… I don’t glow.”

“Oh, but you do,” Krista whispered, reaching over to take Meredith’s hand. “You do when you’re happy and being yourself.”

Meredith sniffled, her lip trembling. “I’m not happy.”

Krista squeezed her hand, sensing the depth of her hurt. “Because?”

Her daughter took a shaky breath, struggling to keep her voice steady. “Because Todd Durham told me I was… annoying and… and ugly.”

The words hung in the air, raw and painful. Krista’s heart sank as she saw the wounded look in her daughter’s eyes. “Ahh,” she murmured softly, wrapping an arm around Meredith’s shoulders and pulling her close. “Would this be ‘Cute-Todd-with-the-jacket-and-cool-hair’?”

Meredith’s lip quivered as she leaned into her mother, fresh tears slipping down her cheeks. “Mom…” she whispered, her voice breaking, “why… why are guys so mean sometimes?”

Krista hugged her tightly, feeling her daughter’s body shake with sobs as she stroked her hair. “Oh, sweet girl,” she murmured, her own heart aching. “The right ones aren’t,” she whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to Meredith’s forehead. “They’re out there, I promise.”

Meredith sniffled, looking up with hope in her watery eyes. “Are you sure?”

Krista gave her a tender smile.

“Let me tell you a story about a young girl who got her heart broken one day at school. She thought the world was ending, but she didn’t know then what was waiting for her. She spent her time staying busy, making sure everyone else was happy until her very own Prince Charming showed up one wintery afternoon and swept her off her feet...”

Meredith rested her head on Krista’s shoulder, listening quietly, finding comfort in her mother’s voice, feeling the warmth of love that wrapped around her, healing the hurt in her heart—just a little bit. As she spoke, the memories washed over her, realizing it was true. The ones worth waiting for just needed a chance to find the one.

… And finding Gary was truly a miracle.